Bishop Gerald I Lobo enthralled MCC’s Monti Fest celebration

Bishop Gerald I Lobo enthralled MCC’s Monti Fest celebration

Qatar: Mangalore Cricket Club celebrated the annual traditional Monti Fest celebrations on 9th September 2016 at the CBSE-I Auditorium of MES Indian School, Abu Hamour in full grandeur. The Chief Guest of the evening was Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese. Bishop Gerald inspired the audience with his powerful message and had the audience spellbound with his achievements and his vision for the people of his diocese.

Rita Andrade, compere of the evening opened the program with an introduction of Monti Fest and greeting the gathering. The evening began with a meaningful prayer song sung by the little children “Balok Moriye Amche Raniye” glorifying Mother Mary and invoking her blessings on the programme. Music was played by young Adlyn D’Souza who were all trained by Alwyn D’Souza. The cultural programme then followed immediately with the little children’s dance performed on the song “Shivnthi Aboli” set the programme mood with their beautiful performance. The dance was choreographed by Wilma D’Souza & Wendy Lewis. Budding singers brothers Joswin & Joshwa Pinto sang “Sheek Sheek” from the ablum Kinkulle of Melwyn Peris, entertained all with their melodious singing and Prathap Menezes accompanied them on the keyboard.

The stage programme followed immediately and was conducted by Cultural Secretary Prabha Rego inviting the guests on stage. President Prakash Noronha then welcomed the guests, Chief Guest Bishop Gerald I. Lobo, Guests of honour Fr Pius James D’Souza OCD, Fr Anand Castelino, Spiritual Director of Konkani Community in Qatar, William Aranha, Managing Director of Integral Food Services, Jerald D’Mello, Founder member of MCC, Vice President Ronald Saldanha and the gathering. In his address, he informed that the MCC is reaching 25 years and is planning its celebrations by sponsoring 25 students this year for their education and has already started by sponsoring 4 students. He also outlined about the upcoming calendar programmes of MCC and will conduct “Gulf Baila Naach” a baila dance competition within the gulf countries with the finale to be held in April 2017 during its annual programme. He then along with the guests on stage lighted the lamp inaugurating the 25th-year celebration. Joint Secretary Ryan Renjar conducted the award ceremony to all the 26 achievers in academics who excelled in Graduation, 12th & 10th exams, sports and in other fields who have made all Mangaloreans proud with their excellent achievements.

General Secretary Riana Pinto then introduced William Aranha a successful entrepreneur to the gathering. William was honoured for his strong support to the club and community. Bishop Lobo honoured him with a shawl and memento. William Aranha then spoke a few words thanking MCC and praised the Bishop for his visionary achievements.

Later Immediate Past President Norbert Corda introduced Bishop Gerald Lobo and the read the contents of the Maan Pathr. President Prakash along with all advisors honoured Bishop with the Maan Pathr, Shawl & memento. Then Bishop addressed the gathering and conveying his nativity message and congratulated the club on its silver anniversary celebrations, for encouraging students honouring their achievements, creating a home away from home for all Mangaloreans here in Qatar and uniting them through this Novem Jevaan and keeping the Konkani culture alive. He then gave a brief report of his diocesan work, his vision, mission and plan for 10 years outlined in his book “Diocesan Plan 2025” and achievements so far. He mentioned how he has enlightened the people about the various schemes and facilities that can be availed by students for education purposes, employment purpose, empowerment of women, received aid from Government applied through various government policies and enabled children to support their endless studies and the needy, formed ladies committee in every parish, instilled leadership growth by strengthening Parish council and other committees who are responsible for implementing the 18 points plans for the progress of each parish.

He also made us aware that we rarely make use of the scholarship facilities available to us as minorities and Catholics. The government is allocating us funds but then either we are ignorant or maybe ashamed to claim the funds that are rightfully ours and do not belong to the Government. He stressed on the need of the hour as we rarely find catholic students opting for a career in civil services which is highly rewarding. He then requested the President to conduct career guidance to young students to guide them of various courses available and can enter guidance to choose IAS, IPS careers and other government services to brighten their future. He also added that he has in his vision to have a bank for Ladies and form an association of young businessmen pooling in with established businessmen to share and pool the business knowledge. The audience were really engrossed in his speech and were spellbound to know so many details which most of them were unaware of.

Fr Pius James D’Souza OCD, a visiting priest who had come to preach the 9 days novena and celebrate the Nativity Feast of Blessed Virgin Mary at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Qatar released the Club newsletter “Sugandh” presented by Editor Saviour Crasta. Fr Pius then spoke a few words on the occasion and praised the club for bringing the community together to celebrate the feast as one family.

Fr Anand Castelino, then blessed the roce and Novem Jevaan with offering grace before meals. Roce was then served to all.

Then the second part of the cultural program started with a lively dance from little baby Gia Noronha choreographed by Gina Noronha to the song Kukre kukoo, Group song along with folk and western dance mixture was performed on the song on Monthi Fest “Yeya Ho Yeya Ho”. It was sung by Rupert Lobo, Naveen D’Souza, Neil D’Silva, Ullas D’Souza, Jovita D’Souza, Eva Wilma Pinto, Riana Pinto and Sunita D’Souza. Dancers were Gina & Elena Noronha, Shown & Sean Fernandes, Ryan Renjar, Jyothi Gomes, Pressy and Jeevan Rayan. The dance was choreographed by Affney D’Souza, Effy Noronha and Shalini Monteiro.

This was followed by a skit directed by Naveen & Renzil was presented by young budding talents Naveen Melvin D’Souza, Errol Tauro, Merwyn Denzil D’Souza, Jaison Renzil D’Souza and Agnel Ullas D’Souza. A beautiful duet song “Hathanth Gevun Moga Haath” composed by Ajith Peter was rendered by Rupert Lobo and Preema Pinto GVOM 2 semifinalist & 2nd place winner of GVOM 3 impressed the audience with their lovely singing. Humorous joke “Poleile Sakkad zai“ enacted by Anil Cutinho, Clement Fernandes and Arthur Serrao had the crowd in laughter. Beautiful choreographed dance by Venal Rhea Castelino to the song “Ubchya Sukynano” was performed by Greg D’Cunha, Shown Fernandes, Gina & Elena Noronha, Vanessa Saldanha and Naveen D’Souza and was very well appreciated by the audience.

Vice President Ronald Saldanha proposed the Vote of thanks. President Prakash Noronha then honoured Mary Menezes, mother/mother-in-law of our member Gina & Robert Lobo. the main chef for the home cooked food who is on a visit to Qatar.

Anil Cutinho, Clement Fernandes & Vivian D’Souza presented their second joke and tickled the bones of the audience. Final dance “Baila Naach Vaareva” choreographed by Shilpa Fernandes was performed by Naveen Melvin D’Souza, Shilpa Fernandes, Savious & Preem Crasta, Pradeep & Shaila Menezes. Finally, it was concluded by singing “Laudate Dominum” and ended with having family meal Novem Jevaan of 7 vegetables, sannas and Vorn prepared at home by several volunteers under the leadership of Mary Menezes, Vivian D’Souza and Jossy D’Souza at the residence of Jerald D’Mello. Several lady volunteers prepared sannas in their homes.

Rita Andrade with her fluent Konkani compered the cultural program meticulously. Some spot games were also conducted. After dinner, game of bingo was played and was conducted by Patrick D’Souza.

MCC Executive Committee thanks, all volunteers who joined hands in the preparation of Novem Jevaan, all participants and all who supported in every way to make this program a success. May Mother Mary bless each and everyone.